This document was part of the public consultation on the Proposed changes to the Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables. Each phase of the consultation will focus on a group of fresh fruit or vegetables and will be open for a 60-day period.
The consultation for Phase 2 ran from December 10, 2021 to February 11, 2022.
Grades and Requirements for Apples
Application
5. The grades and requirements set out in sections 6 to 18 apply to apples of varieties grown from Malus domestica or Malus communis, except for miniature apples, such as Lady apples, of a diameter of 51 mm (2 inches) or less.
Grades and Grade Names
6. The grades and grade names for apples are Canada Extra Fancy, Canada Fancy, Canada Commercial, Canada Hailed, Canada Commercial Cookers, Canada No. 1 Peelers and Canada No. 2 Peelers.
Requirements for All Grades
7. (1) In this section, "sized" means that the apples
- (a) have a minimum diameter of 60 mm (2 ⅜ inches);
- (b) in the case of tiered apples, are packaged by count and
- (i) if they are of the box count size 100 or of a larger size, do not vary in diameter by more than 8 mm (5/16 inch) in any one package, or
- (ii) if they are of a smaller size than the box count size 100, do not vary in diameter by more than 6 mm (¼ inch) in any one package; or
- (c) in the case of untiered apples, are packaged in accordance with one of the following diameter size ranges, namely,
- (i) 60 mm (2 ⅜ inches) to 63 mm (2 ½ inches),
- (ii) 60 mm (2 ⅜ inches) to 70 mm (2 ¾ inches),
- (iii) 60 mm (2 ⅜ inches) and up,
- (iv) 63 mm (2 ½ inches) to 70 mm (2 ¾ inches),
- (v) 63 mm (2 ½ inches) to 76 mm (3 inches),
- (vi) 63 mm (2 ½ inches) and up,
- (vii) 70 mm (2 ¾ inches) to 76 mm (3 inches),
- (viii) 70 mm (2 ¾ inches) and up, or
- (ix) 76 mm (3 inches) and up.
(2) In addition to the requirements for each grade and subject to the general tolerances set out in subsections 19(1) and 19(3), apples of all grades, other than Canada Commercial Cookers, Canada No. 1 Peelers and Canada No. 2 Peelers must
- (a) be properly packaged;
- (b) be of one variety and sized;
- (c) be mature, clean and sound;
- (d) meet the colour requirements set out in section 16;
- (e) have the colour intensity set out in section 17;
- (f) be free from bruises that are soft;
- (g) be free from skin punctures that exceed the tolerances set out in Columns 2 and 3 of an item of the Table of Tolerances for Skin Punctures in Apples in Trays or Cells or the Table of Tolerances for Skin Punctures in Apples in Retail Bulk Displays or in Containers Other Than Trays or Cells to section 18 for the grade set out in Column 1 of that item and the type of package or display set out in the title of one of the tables;
- (h) be free from twig or limb rub that is soft;
- (i) when the apples, with the exception of apples of the Fuji variety, are sold after January 31 following the year in which they were harvested, be free from watercore
- (i) existing around the core and extending to the circular area formed by the vascular bundles,
- (ii) surrounding the vascular bundles, where the affected areas surrounding three or more adjacent vascular bundles meet or coalesce, or
- (iii) existing to more than a slight degree outside the circular area formed by the vascular bundles;
- (j) be free from insect larvae and red banded leaf roller damage; and
- (k) be free from a combination of two or more defects referred to in paragraphs (f) to (i) that individually do not exceed their respective tolerances but that in combination affect the appearance, edibility or shipping quality of the apples.
(3) In addition to the requirements for each grade, untiered apples of all grades must have the diameter size range of the apples as set out in paragraph (1)(c) shown on the container's label unless the container
- (a) is transparent;
- (b) is an open basket having a capacity of 12.5 L or less; or
- (c) contains apples of Canada Commercial Cookers grade.
Canada Extra Fancy Grade Requirements
8. (1) In addition to meeting the requirements for all grades set out in section 7, apples graded Canada Extra Fancy must
- (a) be smooth and well formed;
- (b) be free from bruises that
- (i) individually exceed 19 mm (¾ inch) in diameter, or
- (ii) affect an aggregate area per apple exceeding 25 mm (1 inch) in diameter;
- (c) be free from hail damage that
- (i) has broken the skin,
- (ii) has caused discolouration,
- (iii) has surface indentation exceeding 2 mm (1/16 inch) in depth,
- (iv) has caused an individual mark exceeding 3 mm (⅛ inch) in diameter, or
- (v) affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 13 mm (1/2 inch) in diameter;
- (d) be free from twig or limb rub that
- (i) is depressed,
- (ii) in the case of apples of the Red Delicious variety, affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 13 mm (½ inch) in diameter, or
- (iii) in the case of apples of varieties other than Red Delicious, affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 6 mm (¼ inch) in diameter;
- (e) be free from russeting that
- (i) is within the stem cavity or calyx basin and is rough and readily apparent and materially affects the appearance of an apple, or
- (ii) is outside the stem cavity or calyx basin and is
- (A) rough and affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 6 mm (¼ inch) in diameter,
- (B) slightly rough and affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 13 mm (½ inch) in diameter,
- (C) smooth and solid and in the aggregate affects more than 5% of the surface area of an apple, or
- (D) smooth and net-like and in the aggregate affects more than 10% of the surface area of an apple;
- (f) be free from scab, including pinpoint scab;
- (g) when the apples are sold before January 1 following the year in which they were harvested, be free from storage scald;
- (h) when the apples are sold after December 31 following the year in which they were harvested, be free from storage scald that affects more than
- (i) 15% of the surface area of an apple, or
- (ii) 10%, by count, of the apples in a lot;
- (i) be free from insect damage of any of the following types, namely,
- (i) pansy spot that affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 13 mm (½ inch) in diameter,
- (ii) insect damage other than pansy spot, or
- (iii) scale and scale spots that
- (A) exceed two per apple, or
- (B) affect more than 5%, by count, of the apples in a lot;
- (j) be free from insects and disease;
- (k) be free from bitter pit when one or more spots affects the surface of the apple;
- (l) be free from drought spot or marks resembling drought spot;
- (m) be free from sprayburn, sunscald or sunburn;
- (n) be free from skin breaks at the stem;
- (o) be free from a combination of two or more defects referred to in paragraphs (b) to (i) that individually do not exceed their respective tolerances but that in combination exceed the greatest area tolerance set out in any of those paragraphs; and
- (p) be free from any other damage or defect or combination of damage and defects that affects the appearance, edibility or shipping quality of the apples.
(2) Despite paragraph 7(2)(b), apples of different varieties packaged in approximately equal proportions in packages not exceeding a capacity of 20 kg (44 lb) and labelled with the words "Gift Pack", "Combination Pack" or "Variety Pack", that in all other respects meet the requirements for Canada Extra Fancy grade, may be designated as Canada Extra Fancy.
Canada Fancy Grade Requirements
9. In addition to meeting the requirements for all grades set out in section 7, apples graded Canada Fancy must
- (a) be smooth and fairly well formed;
- (b) be free from bruises that
- (i) individually exceed 19 mm (¾ inch) in diameter, or
- (ii) affect an aggregate area per apple exceeding 25 mm (1 inch) in diameter;
- (c) be free from hail damage that
- (i) has broken the skin,
- (ii) has surface indentation exceeding 2 mm (1/16 inch) in depth,
- (iii) affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 13 mm (½ inch) in diameter, or
- (iv) has noticeably depressed the affected areas or materially affects the appearance of an apple;
- (d) be free from twig or limb rub that
- (i) is noticeably depressed, or
- (ii) affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 13 mm (½ inch) in diameter;
- (e) be free from russeting that
- (i) is within the stem cavity or calyx basin and is rough and readily apparent and materially affects the appearance of an apple, or
- (ii) is outside of the stem cavity or calyx basin and is
- (A) rough and affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 6 mm (¼ inch) in diameter,
- (B) slightly rough and affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 13 mm (½ inch) in diameter,
- (C) smooth and solid and in the aggregate affects more than 10% of the surface area of an apple, or
- (D) smooth and net-like and in the aggregate affects more than 25% of the surface area of an apple;
- (f) be free from pinpoint scab;
- (g) be free from scab, other than pinpoint scab, that affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 6 mm (¼ inch) in diameter;
- (h) be free from bitter pit when one or more spots affects the surface of the apple;
- (i) be free from storage scald that affects more than
- (i) 15% of the surface of an apple, or
- (ii) 15%, by count, of the apples in a lot;
- (j) be free from sprayburn, sunscald, or sunburn
- (i) in the case of apples failing to meet the colour requirements of Canada Extra Fancy grade, or
- (ii) in the case of apples meeting the colour requirements of Canada Extra Fancy grade, that does not blend with the normal colour of the apples or that is soft or has caused blistering or cracking of the skin;
- (k) be free from insect damage of any of the following types, namely,
- (i) curculio or plant bug damage that is not completely and smoothly healed over or that shows evidence of penetration below the surface of an apple,
- (ii) leaf roller damage, other than red banded leaf roller damage, that has deformed an apple or affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 6 mm (¼ inch) in diameter,
- (iii) three or more insect punctures or stings per apple or any insect punctures or stings that exceed 10 mm (⅜ inch) in depth or 3 mm (⅛ inch) in diameter, inclusive of any encircling discoloured ring,
- (iv) apple maggot punctures or stings that affect more than 5%, by count of the apples in a lot,
- (v) pansy spot that affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 25 mm (1 inch) in diameter, or
- (vi) scale and scale spots that
- (A) exceed two per apple, or
- (B) affect more than 5%, by count, of the apples in a lot;
- (l) be free from insects;
- (m) be free from drought spot or marks resembling drought spot;
- (n) be free from skin breaks at the stem that exceed 6 mm (¼ inch) in diameter or 3 mm (1/8 inch) in depth;
- (o) be free from a combination of two or more defects referred to in paragraphs (b) to (k) that individually do not exceed their respective tolerances but that in combination exceed the greatest area tolerance set out in any of those paragraphs; and
- (p) be free from any other damage or defect or combination of damage and defects that materially affects the appearance, edibility or shipping quality of the apples.
10. Despite paragraph 7.(2)(b), apples of different varieties packaged in approximately equal proportions in packages not exceeding a capacity of 20 kg (44 lb) and labelled with the words "Gift Pack", "Combination Pack" or "Variety Pack", that in all other respects meet the requirements for Canada Fancy grade, may be designated as Canada Fancy.
Canada Commercial Grade Requirements
11. (1) In addition to meeting the requirements for all grades set out in section 7, apples graded Canada Commercial must
- (a) be free from bruises that affect an aggregate area per apple exceeding 38 mm (1 ½ inches) in diameter;
- (b) be free from hail damage that has
- (i) not broken the skin but affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 19 mm (¾ inch) in diameter,
- (ii) broken the skin and is not well healed,
- (iii) broken the skin and is well healed but affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 6 mm (¼ inch) in diameter, or
- (iv) noticeably depressed the affected areas or seriously affected the appearance of an apple;
- (c) be free from twig or limb rub that affects more than 5% of the surface area of an apple;
- (d) be free from russeting that
- (i) is smooth and solid and affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding one-half of the surface area of the apple, inclusive of the stem cavity and calyx basin, or
- (ii) is rough or slightly rough and detracts from the appearance of an apple to a greater degree than the maximum amount of smooth, solid russeting permitted under subparagraph (i);
- (e) be free from scab that affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 19 mm (¾ inch) in diameter;
- (f) be free from bitter pit which is thinly scattered over more than 10% of the surface of the apple;
- (g) be free from storage scald that affects more than 25% of the surface area of an apple;
- (h) be free from sprayburn, sunscald, or sunburn that
- (i) is soft or has caused blistering or cracking of the skin, or
- (ii) affects more than 10% of the surface area of an apple and does not blend with the normal colour of the apple;
- (i) be free from drought spot or marks resembling drought spot that
- (i) exceed three per apple,
- (ii) affect an aggregate area per apple exceeding 13 mm (½ inch) in diameter, or
- (iii) have noticeably depressed or discoloured the affected areas;
- (j) be free from insect damage of any of the following types, namely,
- (i) curculio or plant bug damage that is not completely and smoothly healed over or that shows evidence of penetration below the surface of an apple,
- (ii) leaf roller damage, other than red banded leaf roller damage, that affects more than 5% of the surface area of an apple,
- (iii) four or more insect punctures or stings, other than bud moth stings, per apple,
- (iv) six or more bud moth stings per apple,
- (v) any insect punctures or stings that exceed 10 mm (⅜ inch) in depth or 3 mm (⅛ inch) in diameter, inclusive of any encircling discoloured ring,
- (vi) apple maggot punctures or stings that affect more than 25%, by count, of the apples in a lot, or
- (vii) scale and scale spots that exceed 10 per apple;
- (k) be free from skin breaks at the stem that exceed 13 mm (1/2 inch) in diameter;
- (l) be free from a combination of two or more defects referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) that individually do not exceed their respective tolerances but that in combination exceed the greatest area tolerance set out in any of those paragraphs; and
- (m) be free from any other damage or defect or combination of damage and defects that seriously affects the appearance, edibility or shipping quality of the apples.
(2) Apples graded Canada Commercial may be alternatively designated "Canada Cee" or "Canada C".
Canada Hailed Grade Requirements
12. In addition to meeting the requirements for all grades set out in section 7, apples graded Canada Hailed must
- (a) meet the requirements of Canada Commercial grade except those set out in paragraph 11(1)(b);
- (b) have not less than the amount of colour required for Canada Fancy grade as set out in section 16; and
- (c) be free from hail damage that
- (i) has not broken the skin but affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 38 mm (1 ½ inches) in diameter,
- (ii) has broken the skin and is not well healed,
- (iii) has broken the skin and is well healed but exceeds 10 mm (⅜ inch) in diameter or affects an aggregate area per apple exceeding 25 mm (1 inch) in diameter, or
- (iv) exceeds 6 mm (¼ inch) in depth.
Canada Commercial Cookers Grade Requirements
13. Subject to the general tolerances set out in subsections 19(1) and 19(3), apples graded Canada Commercial Cookers must
- (a) meet the requirements of Canada Commercial grade, except those set out in paragraphs 7(2)(d) and (e);
- (b) with the exception of apples of the Northern Spy variety and of varieties that mature earlier than Northern Spy, be mature; and
- (c) have a minimum diameter of 63 mm (2 ½ inches) in the case of apples of the Northern Spy variety and a minimum diameter of 57 mm (2 ¼ inches) in the case of apples of other varieties.
Canada No. 1 Peelers Grade Requirements
14. Subject to the general tolerances set out in subsections 19(2) and 19(3), apples graded Canada No. 1 Peelers must
- (a) be of one variety and fairly well formed;
- (b) be fairly clean, mature and sound;
- (c) have a minimum diameter of 57 mm (2 ¼ inches);
- (d) be free from insect larvae; and
- (e) be free from any damage or defect or combination of damage and defects that would cause a loss of more than 5%, by weight, of an apple above that which would normally be lost in commercial preparation.
Canada No. 2 Peelers Grade Requirements
15. Subject to the general tolerances set out in subsections 19(2) and 19(3), apples graded Canada No. 2 Peelers must
- (a) be of one variety;
- (b) be reasonably clean, mature and sound;
- (c) have a minimum diameter of 57 mm (2 ¼ inches);
- (d) be free from insect larvae; and
- (e) be free from any damage or defect or combination of damage and defects that would cause a loss of more than 20%, by weight, of an apple above that which would normally be lost in commercial preparation.
Colour Requirements for Apples
16. Apples graded Canada Extra Fancy, Canada Fancy and Canada Commercial must
- (a) in the case of solid red or fully striped varieties or partially red or partially striped varieties, be of a red or red striped colour on a proportion of their surface area that is at least equal to the percentage set out in item 1 or 2 of columns 2, 3, or 4 of the Table of Colour Requirements for Major Apple Varieties to this section;
- (b) in the case of red cheeked or blush varieties, have the minimum shade of colour described in item 3 of columns 2, 3, or 4 of the Table of Colour Requirements for Major Apple Varieties to this section; and
- (c) in the case of green, yellow or russet varieties, have the colour described in the item 4 of columns 2, 3, or 4 of the Table of Colour Requirements for Major Apple Varieties to this section.
| Item | Colour Category | Canada Extra Fancy Grade |
Canada Fancy Grade |
Canada Commercial Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Solid red or fully striped varieties | 65% | 40% | 15% |
| 2. | Partially red or partially striped varieties | 55% | 30% | 15% |
| 3. | Red cheeked or blush varieties | Perceptibly blush-cheeked | Tinge of colour | - |
| 4. | Green, yellow or russet varieties | Colour characteristic of variety when mature | Colour characteristic of variety when mature | - |
17. The colour intensity, measured with a colorimeter, in varieties of apples, indicated in column 1 for Canada Extra Fancy, Canada Fancy and Canada Commercial grades must be as set out in an item of column 2, 3, or 4 of the Table of Colour Readings for Major Apple Varieties to this section.
| Item | Variety | Canada Extra Fancy Grade |
Canada Fancy Grade |
Canada Commercial Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Delicious | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 2. | Idared | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 3. | McIntosh | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 4. | Red Delicious | 6 | 6 | 2 |
| 5. | Red Rome | 7 | 7 | 3 |
| 6. | Red Spartan | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| 7. | Winesap | 6 | 6 | 2 |
Tolerances for Skin Punctures
18. The tolerances for skin punctures in varieties of apples for Canada Extra Fancy, Canada Fancy and Canada Commercial grades set out in column 1, are as set out in columns 2 and 3 of the Table of Tolerances for Skin Punctures in Apples in Trays or Cells or of the Table of Tolerances for Skin Punctures in Apples in Retail Bulk Displays or in Containers Other Than Trays or Cells to this section.
| Item | Grade | Skin Punctures in Semi-Hard Varieties | Skin Punctures in Hard Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Canada Extra Fancy |
|
(free from) |
| 2. | Canada Fancy |
|
(free from) |
| 3. | Canada Commercial |
|
|
| Item | Grade | Skin Punctures in Semi-Hard Varieties | Skin Punctures in Hard Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Canada Extra Fancy |
|
|
| 2. | Canada Fancy |
|
|
| 3. | Canada Commercial |
|
|
General Tolerances
19. (1) In the grading of apples into Canada Extra Fancy, Canada Fancy, Canada Commercial, Canada Hailed and Canada Commercial Cookers grades, the requirements set out in sections 7 to 13, 16 and 18, as applicable, are considered to be met in the case of a lot of apples when not more than
- (a) 5%, by count, of the apples in the lot have a diameter that is less than 60 mm (2 ⅜ inches), or less than the minimum diameter set out in subparagraphs 7(1)(c)(iv) to (ix), corresponding to the applicable size range;
- (b) 5%, by count, of the apples in the lot have a diameter that is greater than the maximum diameter, if any, set out in paragraph 7(1)(c), corresponding to the applicable size range;
- (c) in the case of a lot of tiered apples, 10% of the packages contain more than 10%, by count, of apples that exceed the maximum diameter variation set out in paragraph 7(1)(b);
- (d) in the case of apples graded Canada Extra Fancy, 5%, by count, of the apples in the lot are fairly well formed;
- (e) in the case of a lot of apples inspected at the time of shipping or repackaging, 10%, by count, of the apples in the lot have defects other than those referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d), including not more than
- (i) 2% that are affected by decay, and
- (ii) 5% that have the same defect other than decay; and
- (f) in the case of a lot of apples inspected at a time other than at the time of shipping or repackaging, 10%, by count, of the apples in the lot have permanent defects other than those referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d), including not more than 5% that have the same permanent defect.
(2) In the grading of apples into Canada No. 1 Peelers and Canada No. 2 Peelers grades, the requirements set out in sections 11 and 12, as applicable, are considered to be met when
- (a) in the case of a lot of peeler apples inspected at the time of shipping or repackaging, not more than
- (i) 5%, by count or by weight, of the apples in the lot are affected by bitter pit;
- (ii) in the case of apples graded Canada No. 1 Peelers, 7%, by count or by weight, of the apples in the lot are affected by defects other than bitter pit; and
- (iii) in the case of apples graded Canada No. 2 Peelers, 10%, by count or by weight, of the apples in the lot are affected by defects other than bitter pit.
- (b) in the case of peeler apples inspected at a time other than the time of shipping or repackaging, not more than
- (i) 7%, by count or by weight, of the apples in the lot are affected by permanent defects, in the case of apples graded Canada No. 1 Peelers; and
- (ii) 10%, by count or by weight, of the apples in the lot are affected by permanent defects, in the case of apples graded Canada No. 2 Peelers.
(3) Condition defects apply against the grade of a lot of apples only when the lot is inspected at the time of shipping or repackaging.